The Horse, as Comrade and Friend 



coating of the tips of the teats with wax and 

 sometimes the actual leakage of milk. The 

 vigorous movements of the foal can be felt 

 and seen, and their effect on the mare must be 

 noted. Every day be out early, rain or fine. 

 If a wet cold snap comes on, it will almost surely 

 delay the birth until after its close, but do not 

 count on this with too great certainty, because 

 other causes may counteract. It is a kindly 

 provision of nature that a clear still morning 

 with good warmth in the early sunbeams, 

 quickly taking the dew off the grass, does help 

 the mare to her conclusion; so, on such a day, 

 make your cup of tea and go to her extra early. 

 If she is feeding as usual it means not yet ; 

 but if you find her standing or lying down there 

 is probability. If she is standing under the 

 shade of a tree, it means not yet. A mare 

 won't foal down near a plantation or thicket — 

 instinct following those primeval prejudices. 

 You can judge the immediate prospects almost 

 as soon as you get to her. If the foal occupies 

 the usual position there will be delay, but if, 

 from the changed contour of the flanks of the 

 mare, you can see there has been some displace- 

 ment rearwards and upwards, you will not 

 have very long to wait. 



You can judge from the mare's expression 

 as you come up to her, and the turn of her eye, 

 whether she is in any pain. Pat and pet her. 

 She knows quite well what is going to happen, 



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